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School’s Out/Barely In

What’s up with the half school days here?

Not one to miss an opportunity to recite yet another “When I was a kid….” story, I have to say how annoyed I am with the public school system here in CT. I also can’t miss another opportunity to clarify that I am not a native Connecticutian, or whatever they hell they call themselves here. Nothing I guess. Anyway, another post. Right?

So the schools here let out at 1:45-2:00pm. What?! I mean, WHAT?!

Is this considered a full day of education in this state? Holy crap. When I was a kid in grade, middle, junior, high, I was in till 3:00-3:30p. Every day. Sometimes. Sometimes. On the rare occasion, we’d get out at 2:30 or 2:45. Wow. Was that great. We lived for those short/er days. But here in CT, god forbid the buses aren’t fully loaded, half out the school driveways by 1:50p.

It would be one thing if US reading scores and aptitudes were good compared to other countries, or just to ourselves. But they aren’t. And worse, kids today are more hampered by useless cultural distractions, and dangerous influences once they get out of a classroom than ever before.

Tax payers are hit enormously with education tariffs in the towns and states where they live regardless of whether they have children or not. Meanwhile, these states and towns have cut back the educational standards for children who need more dedication from municipalities and states. Not less. Parents should know this already when they see their kids done for the day barely after 2pm, only to hop on a skateboard for two hours or waste time in a Froyo store. The schools cut the days to save money, but still lobby for higher taxes. And in the end, what is the net benefit to the kids? What’s the upgrade, if the time is less? A new projector screen? Some re-flooring of the gym floor. Come on, man. That’s what fundraising and benefits are for. There can be no upgrade, if time is slashed. Time is the upgrade. Hence, time is also a downgrade.